I
was never exposed to the controversial novel of Lois Lowry and I
learned about the movie, “The Giver,” at the 20th Century Fox press conference at Comic-Con this year.
Directed
by Phillip Noyce (“Salt”), “The Giver” is a story
about a perfectly peaceful, utopian society, unfolding onscreen with
the bland pleasantness of “Pleasantville.” The sets are
immaculately designed, minimalistic style. Communities built after the Ruins are
cocooned in a climate-controlled, clifftop mesa bordered by
clouds.
Communities are ruled with an iron-fist precision – past memories are erased, everything is strictly regulated. Assigned family unit, exact societal role, down to well-manufactured dwelling, impeccably lit pathways, uniform clothing and homogeneous food. Precise language, no lies, and obedience to curfew times.
Communities are ruled with an iron-fist precision – past memories are erased, everything is strictly regulated. Assigned family unit, exact societal role, down to well-manufactured dwelling, impeccably lit pathways, uniform clothing and homogeneous food. Precise language, no lies, and obedience to curfew times.
Regulations
set by political leaders, led by Chief Elder (Meryl Streep,
“The Iron Lady”), strip away what fundamentally makes us
humans, emotions. Conformity is a way of life and contentment is
ever-present. The premise reminds me of one of the most memorable
sci-fi films in the last decade, “Equilibrium.”
With the absence of emotions, everyone is equal and at peace, as there is no winner or loser. No war, hunger, racism or prejudice. No anger, fear, hatred, envy, confusion or chaos. At the same time, there is no love, passion, pride, joy or happiness.
With the absence of emotions, everyone is equal and at peace, as there is no winner or loser. No war, hunger, racism or prejudice. No anger, fear, hatred, envy, confusion or chaos. At the same time, there is no love, passion, pride, joy or happiness.
At
the Choosing Ceremony, three friends, Jonas (Brenton Thwaites,
“Maleficent”), Fiona (Odeya Rush) and Asher (Cameron
Monaghan) leave their childhood behind and each receives a pre-ordained role
in society. Fiona as a nurturer and Asher a drone pilot. Jonas,
deemed to possessed the ideal attributes of intelligence, integrity,
courage and capacity to see beyond, is selected to become a Receiver.
The Receiver will train with a spiritual leader, the Giver (Jeff
Bridges, “Edge of Tomorrow”), who will transmit memories of
the past and outside world. As the sole keeper of memories, he provides guidance to the Elders from time to time.
As
Jonas begins his training, he uncovers the truth about the world and
learns that there's more to life, much more. He begins to skip his
morning injection, which suppresses emotions. His increasingly unruly behaviors raise eyebrows of his assigned parents (Katie Holmes and Alexander Skarsgard).
Jonas' world is turned upside down, his vision gradually changing from monochromatic to technicolor. He's perplexed, curious, filled with awe when seeing visions and feeling the beauty and joy of living, and later recoiling in shock and horror when exposed to the cruelty, pain and suffering of mankind. He experiences stirrings of awakening, feelings toward Fiona, whom he starts to share with. He also learns about the unspeakable reality of what happens to the sick and old when they're “released” to place called Elsewhere.
Jonas' world is turned upside down, his vision gradually changing from monochromatic to technicolor. He's perplexed, curious, filled with awe when seeing visions and feeling the beauty and joy of living, and later recoiling in shock and horror when exposed to the cruelty, pain and suffering of mankind. He experiences stirrings of awakening, feelings toward Fiona, whom he starts to share with. He also learns about the unspeakable reality of what happens to the sick and old when they're “released” to place called Elsewhere.
When
Jonas discovers a plan that would release a baby that he has bonded
with, he knows he must take radical actions, and fast. The Giver,
who holds a painful past with the previous Receiver, agrees to help
him escape and venture out of the sterile communities, past the
boundary of memories. As one can imagine, the Chief Elder clashes
with the Giver, sees Jonas as a threat and haunts him down. What's
should be noted here is that the Chief Elder is not inherently evil.
She truly believes in protecting her people from the ugliness of the
world by taking away their free will.
For
the veteran actors, Streep is wasted; it's a role that doesn't
require such caliber. Bridges is perfectly cast, imbuing the Giver
with a world-weary wisdom, with hints of sarcastic humor. Thwaites is
adequately earnest in the role, as someone who's learning to experience
a spectrum of emotions.
Like
the other YA adaptations, “The Hunger Games” and
“Divergent," the provocative premise of “The Giver”
lends itself an interesting story. But with 94 minutes of running time, it would have benefited from additional scenes, showing a more detailed introduction to the new society rising from the ashes, segments of other unique rituals, the politics, instead of an extensive introduction narrative and rushing
through the third act with action towards a rather abrupt ending.
What stand out the most are the montages of memories, stunning in living color. The diversity of experiences of people of all colors and races. The manners of individuality and self-expressions through history, culture, art and music.
What stand out the most are the montages of memories, stunning in living color. The diversity of experiences of people of all colors and races. The manners of individuality and self-expressions through history, culture, art and music.
Being
alive means having the freedom to choose and experience all life has
to offer. The good, the bad, the ugly. After all, if you can't
feel, what's the point of living?
